Audio toy

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an audio toy. The audio toy comprises a body, an audio module and a wireless control module, wherein the wireless control module controls the audio module through the wireless transmission. The body has a fixing device and a speaker system. One terminal of the fixing device has a signal connecting terminal, wherein the signal connecting terminal is electronically connected with the speaker system. The interior circuit of the audio module includes a wireless receptor, a signal processing circuit, a memory, an audio processor and a connector. The audio module is separablely assembled with the fixing device of the body, wherein the connector of the audio module is separablely and electronically connected with the signal connecting terminal of the fixing device. Besides, the audio module is separabely combined with the wireless control module, wherein the connector of the audio module is separablely and electronically connected with a speaker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the right of priority based on Taiwan Patent Application No. 095221705 entitled “AUDIO TOY,” filed on Dec. 8, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference and assigned to the assignee herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an audio module and a wireless control module being able to control the audio module. More particularly, the present invention relates to an audio module for accommodated utilization of a toy body and a wireless control module for manipulation of the audio module.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Toys are deemed to be the best partner of entertainment for children and play an important role in the growth of children. Besides, toys not only satisfy children's dream but also foster their delicate personality. Recently, the market of toys has become larger and larger. Therefore, in order to cater to the demand of consumers, toy companies constantly invent more innovative and charming products through the research and development of advanced technology.

Over the past few years, a variety of audio toys combined with various audio players have been exhibited in toy markets. The audio players are disposed inside the toy body or on the toy body. Furthermore, the body of toys has a colorful, cute and arresting appearance. There are various audio contents of the audio players such as infant music, fairy tale and linguistic material. In summary, these audio toys are useful; not only their appearance can attract children's attention but their audio contents also foster the ability of reading, presentation, music, creation and exploration in order to develop children's integrated perception.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional audio toy. The audio toy primarily includes a toy body 10, an audio player 30, a speaker 50 and an audio start button 70. The toy body 10 has ability to imitate any appearance of animals or characters. In addition, audio player 30 is disposed in the interior toy body 10. The Speaker 50 is disposed in the mouth of the toy body 10. The audio start button 70 is disposed on the right palm of the toy body 10.

In the interior toy body 10, the speaker 50 and the audio start button 70 are electronically connected with the audio player 30. Thus, when users push the start button 70, audio contents will be played by the speaker 50.

However, users can't access the audio toy due to the audio start button 70 disposed on the toy body 10. Therefore, the manipulation and function of these kinds of audio toys still have space for improvement.

Besides, these kinds of audio toys are conventionally apt for youngsters and can't arrest the attention of consumers except youngsters. Moreover, when children grow up, these audio toys may lose so much attraction for children that the obsolete incident of these audio toys will augment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio toy. The audio toy is controlled to play the audio content by wireless transmission and provides a facile and accessible operation interface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an audio toy having a plurality of distinctly assembled models for a variety of generations.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an audio toy being able to update the audio contents of the audio toy.

The audio toy of the present invention comprises a body, an audio module and a wireless control module. The body comprises a fixing device and a speaker system, wherein one terminal of the fixing device connects with signal connecting terminal, the signal connecting terminal is electronically connected with the speaker system. In the preferred embodiment, signal connecting terminal has an audio output terminal. The audio output terminal can be an audio terminal and is connected with speaker system by a signal chain component.

The interior circuit of the audio module includes a wireless receptor, a signal processing circuit, a memory, an audio processor and a connector. The wireless receptor is electronically connected with the signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit is electronically connected with the memory. The memory is electronically connected with the audio processor. The audio processor is electronically connected with the connector. The connector is disposed in a port of a posterior side of the audio module.

The audio toy of the present invention utilizes the wireless control module to control the audio module by wireless transmission, wherein the interior circuit of the wireless control module includes a wireless transmitter, a control circuit and a plurality of buttons. The control circuit receives signal from the buttons and is electronically connected with the wireless transmitter. Additionally, these buttons, disposed in the wireless control module, provide the manipulative interface of the present invention.

In the preferred embodiment, the audio module combined with the body has become an audio toy, wherein the audio module is separablely assembled with the fixing device of the body. The connector is a port, wherein the audio output terminal of the signal connecting terminal is designed to connect with the port. When audio module combines with the fixing device, the audio output terminal is connected with the connector, wherein the audio module is electronically connected with the signal connecting terminal. Therefore, when users push the buttons of the wireless control module, music will be played by the speaker system.

In another preferred embodiment, the audio module combined with the wireless control module has become a carry-on music player. The carry-on music player is appropriate for various generations such as junior kids, schoolchildren, middle class and even senior citizens. The front side of the audio module includes conductive groove, wherein the wireless control module is able to be separablely and correspondingly combined with the audio module by the conductive rail of the wireless control module. Besides, the audio toy of the present invention further includes a speaker. The preferred embodiment of the speaker is an earphone. The connector of the audio module is a port, wherein the connector of the audio module is designed to electronically connect with the speaker. When users push the buttons of the wireless control module, music will be played by the speaker.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional audio toy.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a body, a fixing device and a speaker system assembly.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the interior circuit of the audio module.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the audio module.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the interior circuit of the wireless control module.

FIG. 6 a is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 b is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the audio module and the fixing device.

FIG. 7 a is another schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the audio module and the wireless control module.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the interior circuit of the arranging device.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the arranging device.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention provides an audio toy. In the preferred embodiment, users utilize the wireless control module to control the audio module in order to allow the audio files of the audio module to be played, wherein the audio files includes infant music, fairy tale, linguistic material, etc. Users have ability to record their preferred music and sound stored in the audio module. Besides, the audio module is connected with an information system, and is able to update information from the information system, wherein the audio files of the audio module is renewed in order to satisfy the various demand of users.

The audio toy of the present invention primarily comprises a body 100, an audio module 300 and a wireless control module 500. With reference to FIG. 2, a fixing device 110 and a speaker system 130 are disposed in the body 100. One terminal of the fixing device 110 has a signal connecting terminal 111. The signal connecting terminal 111 is electronically connected with the speaker system 130. In the preferred embodiment, the signal connecting terminal 111 has an audio output terminal 1110. The audio output terminal 1110 can be 3.5 mm, RCA terminal, etc. The audio output terminal 1110 is connected with the speaker system 130 by a signal chain component 1115. However, in other embodiments, the signal connecting terminal 111 can be electronically connected with the speaker system 130 by wireless transmission. The audio output terminal 1110 of the signal connecting terminal 111 can be a Bluetooth transmitter, wherein the body 100 further includes a Bluetooth receptor being electronically connected with the speaker system 130 for the reception of signal from the audio output terminal 111 and transmission of audio signal toward the speaker system 130. In other embodiments, the signal connecting terminal 111 and the body 100 can be executed as other wireless transmission systems such as infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), etc.

The body 100 is able to imitate any appearance of animal or character. In the preferred embodiment, the body 100 can be a woolly stuffed toy of soft material. However, in other embodiments, the material of the body 100 can be rubber or other soft material. The material of the body 100 can also be a hard material such as plastic. With reference to FIG. 2, the fixing device 110 of the body 100 is disposed in the abdomen of the body 100 and the speaker system 130 is disposed in the chest of the body 100. However, in other embodiments, the fixing device 110 and speaker system 130 can be disposed in the other regions of the body 100 such as head, neck, mouth, etc.

An embodiment of an interior circuit figure of the audio module 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3. With reference to FIG. 3, an audio module 300 includes a wireless receptor 310, a signal processing circuit 330, a memory 350, an audio processor 370 and a connector 390, wherein the wireless receptor 310 is electronically connected with the signal processing circuit 330, the signal processing circuit 330 is electronically connected with the memory 350, the memory 350 is electronically connected with the audio processor 370, the audio processor 370 is electronically connected with the connector 390. With reference to FIG. 4, the connector 390 is disposed in the posterior side of the audio module 300 and can be other standard ports such as 3.5 mm, RCA, etc. The audio file played by the audio toy of the present invention is stored in the memory 350, wherein the audio formats can be MPEG audio layer III (MP3) format, Waveform audio format (WAV), Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) format, etc.

With reference to FIG. 5, the embodiment of an interior circuit figure of the wireless control module 500 is illustrated. With reference to FIG. 5, the wireless control module 500 includes a wireless transmitter 510, a control circuit 530, and plural buttons 550, wherein the control circuit 530 receives signal from the buttons 550 and is electronically connected with the wireless transmitter 510.

The manipulation of the audio toy of the present invention is performed by a method, wherein the wireless control module 500 controls the audio module 300. Besides, the buttons 550 of the wireless control module 500 is an interface allowing users to manipulate the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the wireless transmission system of the wireless control module 500 is an infrared (IR) transmission system. However, in other embodiments, the wireless transmission system of the wireless control module 500 includes a Bluetooth system, a radio frequency(RF) system, etc. Furthermore, the operation of the audio module 300 includes play, selected menu, record, stop, volume, hold switch, memory, repeat, reservation for play and stop.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 a. In the embodiment, the audio module 300 is combined with the body 100 to become an audio toy. With reference to FIG. 6 a, the audio module 300 is separablely assembled with the fixing device 110 of the body 100, wherein the connector 390 of the audio module 300 is electronically connected with the signal connecting terminal 111 of the fixing device 110. The connector 390 is a port, wherein the audio output terminal 1110 of the signal connecting terminal 111 is designed to connect with this port. When the audio module 300 is connected with the fixing device 110, the audio output terminal 1110 is connected with the connector 390 to allow the audio module 300 to electronically connect with the signal connecting terminal 111.

However, in other embodiments, the connector 390 can directly connect with the speaker system 130 through wireless transmission. The connector 390 can be a Bluetooth transmitter, wherein the body 100 further includes a Bluetooth receptor being electronically connected with the speaker system 130 in order to receive signal from the connector 390 and to transmit signal toward the speaker system 130. In other embodiments, the connector 390 and the body 100 can be performed as other wireless transmission systems such as infrared (IR) system, radio frequency (RF) system, etc.

The audio module 300 can be separablely connected with the fixing device 110 of the body 100 using a variety of methods. In the preferred embodiment, the audio module 300 is separablely anchored with the fixing device 110. With reference to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, the front side of fixing device 110 has a groove 113, wherein the audio module 300 is able to anchor with the groove 113. However, in other embodiments, the audio module 300 is separablely combined with the fixing device 110 using a variety of methods. For example, magnets are disposed in the audio module 300 and the fixing device 110 in order to utilize the magnetic attraction to have the audio module 300 combine with the fixing device 110. For another example, the sticky felt is disposed in the front side of the audio module 300 and fixing device 110 in order to correspondingly attach the sticky felt of the audio module 300 to the sticky felt of the fixing device 110.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 a, when users push the plural buttons 550 of the wireless control module 500, the control circuit 530 of the wireless control module 500 transmits corresponding signal(s) toward the wireless transmitter 510 of the wireless control module 500 depending on the order of plural buttons 550. Consequently, the wireless transmitter 510 transmits radio wave toward the wireless receptor 310 of the audio module 300; wherein the radio wave includes the signal corresponding to the order of buttons 550. When the wireless receptor 310 receives the radio wave, order signal corresponding to the buttons 550 will be transmitted toward the signal processing circuit 330. Subsequently, the signal processing circuit 330 will order the audio processor 370, depending on the signal, to retrieve the audio file from the memory 350 and execute corresponding processes. On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 a, the audio processor 370 will transmit audio signal of the audio file toward the connector 390. Finally, by the connection between the connector 390 and the audio output terminal 1110 of the signal connecting terminal 111, the audio signal will be transmitted toward audio output terminal 1110 by the connector 390. The audio signal will be transmitted from the audio output terminal 1110 toward the speaker system 130 by the signal chain component 1115, wherein music will be played by the speaker system 130.

In another preferred embodiment, the body 100 further includes a recording microphone being disposed in the body 100, wherein the audio module 300 includes the port for the recording microphone, the port is designed to connect with the recording microphone through the signal chain component 1115. When users push a recording button being disposed in the wireless control module 500, the audio signal can be recorded as an audio file in the audio module 300 and stored in the memory 350.

In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 7 a, the audio module 300 combined with the wireless control 500 has become a carry-on music player and is appropriate for different generations. With reference to FIG. 7 a, the audio module 300 is separablely assembled with the wireless control module 500, wherein the connector 390 of the audio module 300 is electronically connected with the speaker 1000. The connector 390 is the port being designed to connect with the speaker 1000 and is connected with the speaker 1000. With reference to FIG. 7 a, the speaker 1000 is a wired earphone. However in other embodiments, the speaker 1000 can be a desktop music-playing apparatus or family acoustic setting, wherein the connector 390 is electronically connected with the speaker 1000 by the signal chain component 1115. When users push the buttons 550 of the wireless control module 500 to order the audio module 300, the corresponding order signal is transmitted toward the audio module 300. Consequently, the audio processor 370 of the audio module 300 executes the corresponding processes depending on the order signal. On the other hand, in the embodiment, the audio processor 370 will transmit the audio signal of the audio file toward the connector 390. Finally, the audio signal is transmitted toward the speaker 1 000, wherein music is played by the speaker 1000.

The connector 390 has ability to connect with the speaker 1000 through wireless transmission. In the embodiment, the speaker 1000 can be the wireless speaker device, wherein the connector 390 is a wireless transmitter being designed to interact with the wireless speaker device. The wireless transmission system being utilized by the speaker 1000 and connector 390 can be a Bluetooth system, an infrared (IR) system, a radio frequency (RF) system, etc.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 b, the front side of the audio module 300 includes a conductive groove 380, wherein the bottom of the wireless control module 500 has a conductive rail 570 corresponding to the conductive groove 380 in order to have the wireless control module 500 be separablely anchored with the audio module 300, as illustrated in FIG. 7 a. However in other embodiments, the wireless control module 500 is able to be separablely assembled with the audio module 300 in other methods. For example, magnets are disposed in the audio module 300 and the wireless control module 500 in order to attach the wireless control module 500 to the audio module 300 by the magnetic attraction. For other example, the sticky felt is disposed in the front side of the audio module 300 and the dorsal side of the wireless control module 500 in order to attach the sticky felt of the audio module 300 to the corresponding sticky felt of the wireless control module 500, wherein the wireless control module 500 stacks with the audio module 300.

The audio toy of the present invention further includes an arranging device 700. With reference to FIG. 8, the embodiment of the interior circuit figure of the arranging device 700. Wherein, the arranging device 700 includes a transmission terminal 710, a connecting circuit 730, a signal connecting port 750, a displayer 770 and a base speaker 790. The transmission terminal 710 is electronically connected with the circuit 730, wherein the connecting circuit 730 is electronically connected with an information connecting port 750 and the displayer 770. Besides, with reference to FIG. 3, the audio module 300 further includes an information transmission port 320, a charging module 340 and a rechargeable battery 360. The information transmission port 320 is electronically connected with the signal processing circuit 330 and charging module 340, wherein charging module 340 is electronically connected with rechargeable battery 360. Besides, with reference to FIG. 4, the information transmission port 320 is disposed in the bottom of the audio module 300.

With reference to FIG. 9, the information connecting port 750 is disposed in the lateral side of the arranging device 700, wherein the information connecting port 750 can be an Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface in the preferred embodiment. However, in other embodiments, the information connecting port 750 can be IEEE 1394 interface port or other ports. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the arranging device 700 includes a fillister 720 and audio terminal 740. Wherein, the audio terminal 740 is electronically connected with the base speaker 790, the transmission terminal 710 and audio terminal 740 are disposed in the fillister 720. The audio terminal 740 is designed to connect with the connector 390 of the audio module 300. When the audio module 300 anchors within the fillister 720, the audio module 300 is separablely anchored with the fillister 720, wherein the information transmission port 320 of the audio module 300 is separablely and electronically connected with the transmission terminal 710, the audio terminal 740 is separablely and electronically connected with the connector 390.

In another preferred embodiment of present invention shown in FIG. 10, the audio module 300 being combined with the arranging device 700 has become a desktop music-playing apparatus. With reference to FIG. 10, when the audio module 300 is put into the fillister 720, the audio module 300 anchors within the fillister 720. The information transmission port 320 of the audio module 300 is electronically connected with the transmission terminal 710. The audio terminal 740 is electronically connected with the connector 390. When users push the buttons 550 of the wireless control module 500 to demand the audio module 300 to play music, music will be played from the base speaker 790.

In another preferred embodiment of present invention shown in FIG. 11, the audio module 300 is combined with the fillister 720 of the arranging device 700 to have the information transmission port 320 of the audio module 300 electronically connect with the transmission terminal 710 of the arranging device 700, wherein the audio terminal 740 of the arranging device 700 is electronically connected with the connector 390 of the audio module 300. Meanwhile, the information connecting port 750 of the arranging device 700 is connected with the information system 900 by the signal chain component 1115 corresponding to the information connecting port 750. In the embodiment, the information connecting port 750 has an Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface port, wherein the signal connecting chain component 1115 is an Universal Serial Bus (USB) connecting chain component 1115. However, in other embodiments, the information connecting port 750 and signal chain component 1115 can be other interface such as IEEE 1394. Besides, the information system 900 can be a computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a MPEG audio layer III (MP3) player or other information systems.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, by the connection between the information connecting port 750 of the arranging device 700 and the information system 900, the audio module 300 being anchored in the fillister 720 of the arranging device 700 is able to update the audio file of the information system 900 and can always update the audio file of the memory. The arranging device 700 being electronically connected with the information system 900 has the ability to charge the rechargeable battery 360 of the audio module 300.

When the audio module 300 is electronically connected with the arranging device 700 to transmit audio signal and recharge, the displayer 770 of the arranging device 700 is able to display the operation condition of the audio module 300 such as playing, transmitting, recharging, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the displayer 770 can be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) displayer. However, in other embodiments, the displayer 770 can be a Liquid Crystal Displayer (LCD) or other displayers.

However, in other embodiments, the audio module 300 directly transmits and connects with the information system 900. In the embodiment, the information transmission port 320 of the audio module 300 can be an Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, IEEE 1394 port or other ports, wherein the information transmission port 320 is electronically connected with the information system 900 by the signal chain component 1115 in order to transmit audio signal and to recharge. In other embodiments, the audio module 300 is connected with the information system 900 by wireless transmission. In the embodiment, the information system 900 can be an information system having a wireless transmitter and receptor, wherein the information transmission port 320 of the audio module 300 can be the same wireless transmitter and receptor. The wireless transmission system being used by the information system 900 and information transmission port 320 can be a Bluetooth system, a infrared (IR) system, a radio frequency (RF) system, etc.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An audio toy comprising: a body having a fixing device and a speaker system, wherein the fixing device has a signal connecting terminal being electronically connected with the speaker system; an audio module including a wireless receptor, a signal processing circuit, a memory, an audio processor and a connector, wherein the wireless receptor electronically connects with the signal processing circuit, the signal processing circuit electronically connects with the memory, the memory electronically connects with the audio processor, the audio processor electronically connects with the processor; and a wireless control module including a wireless transmitter, a control circuit and plural buttons, wherein the control circuit receives signals from plural buttons, the control circuit electronically connects with the wireless transmitter, the audio module is separablely assembled with the wireless control module, the audio module is separablely deposed in the fixing device of the body, the connector of the audio module separablely and electronically connects with the signal connecting terminal of the fixing device.
 2. The audio toy of claim 1 wherein the wireless control module controls the function of the audio module through wireless transmission.
 3. The audio toy of claim 2 wherein the function of the audio module includes play, selected menu, record, stop, volume, hold switch, memory, repeat, reservation for play and stop.
 4. The audio toy of claim 1 wherein the wireless control module comprises an infrared transmission system.
 5. The audio toy of claim 1 wherein the audio module is separablely assembled with the wireless control module, the connector of the audio module is separablely and electronically connected with a speaker.
 6. The audio toy of claim 1 wherein the audio toy further includes an arranging device, the arranging device has a transmission terminal, an information connecting port, a base speaker, a displayer and a connecting circuit, the transmission terminal electronically connects with the connecting circuit, the connecting circuit electronically connects with the information connecting port and the displayer, the audio module further comprises an information transmission port, and the information transmission port electronically connects with the signal processing circuit of the audio module.
 7. The audio toy of claim 6 wherein the information transmission port of the audio module is separablely and electronically connected with the transmission terminal of the arranging device, the information connecting port of the arranging device is separablely and electronically connected with an information system for the information transmission between the information system and the audio module.
 8. The audio toy of claim 7 wherein a method of the information connecting port of the arranging device connecting with the information system includes the utilization of a connecting chain component.
 9. The audio toy of claim 8 wherein an interface of the connecting chain component includes an Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface.
 10. The audio toy of claim 7 wherein the information system comprises a computer.
 11. The audio toy of claim 7 wherein the audio module further comprises a charging module and a rechargeable battery, the information transmission port of the audio module is electronically connected with the charging module, the charging module is electronically connected with the rechargeable battery, when the information transmission port is separablely and electronically connected with the transmission terminal of the arranging device, the information connecting port of the arranging device is separablely and electronically connected with the information system, the rechargeable battery of the audio module being rechargeable.
 12. The audio toy of claim 6 wherein the connector of the audio module is separablely and electronically connected with the base speaker of the arranging device.
 13. The audio toy of claim 6 wherein the displayer of the arranging device comprises a light emitting diode (LED) displayer.
 14. The audio toy of claim 1 wherein an audio format of the audio module includes MPEG audio layer III (MP3) format. 